Essential Oils for Massage

Massage Oil Products You’ll Need:

• Essential oils to use in massage:

  Chamomile, Frankincense,
  Juniper, Lavender Lemongrass, Marjoram, Neroli, Orange, Petitgrain, Sandalwood (remember, though, that sandalwood is very expensive right now and there are real concerns about how it is harvested…)

• A carrier oil. I prefer Spectrum Natural’s sesame oil, but any neutral vegetable oil can work.

  Carrier Oils are the basic oil you add essential oils to. You can use them alone as well. Sometimes, if your friend is highly sensitive to scents, it’s better to use a carrier oil alone.

Therapeutic Massage Oil Suggestions

:

Grapeseed Oil Massage Oil

Sweet Almond Massage Oil (also known as Almond Massage Oil)

Coconut Massage Oil

These are inexpensive, easy to find (especially grapeseed oil and coconut oil, since they are available at grocery stores) and work very well for most people. The strong scent of coconut oil makes it less good of a choice for people who are sensitive to scented massage oils, and also makes it difficult to mix it with essential oils. Otherwise, it is excellent for the skin and makes a great oil.

When learning how to give a massage, you should remember that you are just giving a stress relief massage and you are giving the gift of touch, which is healing in itself. Don’t try to be a professional massage therapist. You are good enough as you are, giving a great, free gift of touch to a friend.

Here are some steps to take when learning how to give a massage:

• First, don’t go overboard with the scents. They are highly individualized. If you do not know what your stressed-out friend might want, either don’t use anything or use only lavender.
• Choose your essential oils. Add up to 25 drops and fill to 50 ml (1/4 cup) with your carrier oil. I like Spectrum Natural’s sesame oil because it is easy to find in the natural foods section of the grocery store, but for this massage, you can even use olive oil from your cupboard!

Give Your Friend The Gift Of A Well Planned Massage

Decide:

• where you will give the massage,
• how long it will last,
• whether it will be full body, back, feet (reflexology) or head and neck.
• Make certain that the room is comfortable, not too cold and not too warm,
• and that you have your oil and warm towels or sheets for your stressed out friend if they get cold.
  This step is all about remembering to remember everything you will need so your friend can just relax!
• More preparation: If your friend is going to take his or her clothes off, allow them space to do this comfortably, and give them a towel or sheet to wrap around their body. If they are going to keep their clothes on, be very very careful about oil! You don’t want to add stress to his or her life by ruining gorgeous clothes! Have your friend wear an old tee shirt, or wrap the neck line with a towel…and be careful! You can always opt for no oil if this is going to add stress!

Once your friend is seated or lying down comfortably, add about a teaspoon of oil to your hands and rub until they are warm. Start at the top and work down, using gentle, superficial movements which will induce relaxation. The flow of your movements should not be broken. The point of your massage is to reduce stress, but as you are not a massage therapist, just remember that any gentle, loving touch can be therapeutic. Concentrate on staying relaxed and calm yourself. This is more important than hitting all the right spots or going in the right direction.

The head has many acupressure points, and a head and neck massage can be extremely relaxing.

You’re almost there…you’ve almost learned how to give a massage!

Continue with your massage, moving from top to bottom, and ending with the limbs. Always keep at least one hand on your friend, and just keep your movements clam and gentle. When you end, remind your friend that he or she can stay where she is and even fall asleep. Leave the room quietly and make sure to add an extra blanket if wanted.

Easy Options:

The head has many acupressure points, and a head/neck massage can be very relaxing without much preparation.

A foot massage is also an excellent place for a quick and easy massage. There are so many acupressure points in the feet that you almost can’t miss!

If you do a full body massage, end with the limbs and go up and toward the heart, starting with the fingers and toes, warming your friend as you bring energy to her heart.

And now you know how to give a massage!

How To Give A Massage: A simple stress relief massage is the perfect gift. Who can’t use this free, thoughtful gift? You might even give it to yourself!

Giving a great massage requires a few good massage therapy supplies. You don’t need much, but having a few items on hand can really help make the experience better for everyone.

What You Need

massage therapy supplies

A selection of 1 – 3 of the following essential oils:

Chamomile, Frankincense,
Juniper, Lavender Lemongrass, Marjoram, Neroli, Orange, Petitgrain, Sandalwood (remember, though, that sandalwood is very expensive right now and there are real concerns about how it is harvested…)

A carrier oil

I prefer Spectrum Natural’s sesame oil, but any neutral vegetable oil can work.

Massage Tools

The Jacknobber–this is a simple wooden, plastic or metal device whose “nobs” press into acupressure points on the body.

Massage Stones

These are smooth, flat stones that can be heated (not too hot) and placed on the body to give a great feeling of warmth during the massage.

Hot and Cold packs

Similar to the idea behind the stones, you can simply use a cloth bag filled with flax seeds (and essential oils) or even a gel filled pack from the pharmacy.

Sheets and Towels

It is easy to forget these…but it is a really important part of a comfortable massage therapy experience. Make sure they are 100% cotton and that they are not your best sheets. Oil will get on them and it is hard to wash off.

You can warm the sheets in the dryer or in the sun before the massage for a lovely comforting feeling. You can also use a simple electric warmer that you remove before the massage begins to warm the sheets. It is a really lovely touch that can make the person receiving the massage feel very comfortable.

Another idea if the massage is to be given on a cold day is lots of warm blankets for after the massage. These can be folded at the end of the massage table or bed.

A professional massage table

The perfect height for the therapist, it is really important for the professional. For the home massage, it is really not a key piece of equipment, however.

The massage chair

This is also meant for the professional. It holds the body at the perfect height and in a good position for the therapist to work.

A foot massage tool

This can be a useful and inexpensive device, and a foot massage is also an excellent place for a quick and easy massage. There are so many acupressure points in the feet that you almost can’t miss!

Use Therapeutic Massage Oil For The Best Massage

Choosing which massage oil to use depends on what you want out of your massage, as well as your skin type, skin condition and price range.

Oils you may already have at home:

Grapeseed Oil: High in antioxidants, grapeseed oil is nearly odorless and inexpensive. You can find it at most grocery stores, but you may need to look a bit. Health food stores are sure to carry this oil. Grapeseed oil is a great all purpose oil, viscose and light.

Coconut Oil: This oil is solid at room temperature, which makes it a good choice for body bars in combination with cocoa butter. Coconut oil is great for your skin, and if you like the scent, use it! Obviously, this oil is hard to combine with essential oils, because the scent is already so strong. However, as a massage oil, it melts on contact with the skin, which can make it a sensual oil.

Olive Oil: A lot of people have this in their cupboard (or fridge) already, which makes it a good impromptu choice. Olive oil works well for medicinal preparations such as decongestant chest rubs, but unless you love the smell of olives when you are getting a massage (who knows, someone might) it is not the best choice for a therapeutic massage oil.

Sesame Oil: Now, there are 2 kinds of sesame oil (okay, there might be 1001, but there are 2 I know of) refined and unrefined. The refined sesame oil is the kind my husband loves in his Chinese stir fry. This is not the kind you want for massage or skin care. Unrefined Sesame oil is amazing for skin care and works well as a massage oil. It is a bit thick, in my opinion, and has a definite sesame smell, but it will nourish your skin and make you feel beautiful.


Sweet Almond Oil: This is the all purpose oil many massage therapists use regularly. Great for your skin, with a very slight almond smell (if it smells too strong, it has gone rancid), this oil glides on skin easily, is absorbed quickly and feels great. It combines well with essential oils.

Apricot Kernel Oil: Another good choice. This oil will not smell if it is not rancid& but if it starts to reek of apricot, it has gone bad (Yes, this has sadly happened to me) I love this oil. High in vitamin E, great feel on the skin, and mixes well with most essential oils.